Rich Ellis
Majestic Mt. Hood Organic Farms Wedding
One day before the start of a forecasted heat wave, conditions were perfect for Kristina and Galen’s Mt. Hood Organic Farms wedding in Parkdale, Oregon on Saturday, June 28, 2025. I arrived for setup just after 1pm and was greeted by this amazing view.
The wedding ceremony took place on the lawn just outside the Cottage & Carriage House. Music for the ceremony and cocktail hour that followed was performed by a live string quartet, while I provided microphones and PA for the officiant and custom vows.
The reception was held in the Apple House and before guests came inside to find their seats, they were all asked to gather outside for one big group photo.
I then introduced the newlyweds right before dinner was served family style. Background music featured a variety of selections including tracks from artists Jason Mraz, Lauryn Hill, Taylor Swift, Elton John and more.
Mt. Hood Organic Farms Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: ABBA – I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do
- Cake Cutting: James Taylor – How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- First Dance: Laufey – Lovesick
- Bride and Father Dance: Natalie & Nat King Cole – Unforgettable
- Bouquet Toss: Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – WAP
- Last Dance: Bill Withers – Lovely Day
Even during the opening slow dance, this group was loaded with energy and ready to have a good time on the dance floor.
With a heavy dose of early 2000s hit songs as requested by the newlyweds, I played Black Eyed Peas, Outkast, Cupid Shuffle and more.
As twilight set in on a beautiful night outside, it became a bit of a challenge keeping guests inside for dancing, but darkness brought most everyone back.
It was good to see the groom’s sister Brenda and her husband Brian who referred me for this event. I was the DJ at their wedding in July 2019 held in Portland.
Congratulations Kristina and Galen and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Warm Nights Cold Brew Tasty Tunes At Oregon Zoo
PRO DJs once again had the privilege of playing hit music at the Oregon Zoo “ZooBrew” with two DJs on Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th, 2025.
DJ Rich Ellis worked the entry plaza while DJ Steve Marker performed in Polar Plaza.
With temperatures both days in the mid-80s, the warm pre-summer nights made for a fun weekend.
Lacamas Lake Lodge Wedding Camas Washington
Ashley and Michael’s Lacamas Lake Lodge wedding in Camas Washington took place on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
On what turned out to be a perfect day with light cloud cover and a comfortable 65 degrees, the ceremony began outside around 2:30pm.
Lacamas Lake Lodge Wedding Ceremony Highlights:
- Wedding Party Entrance: Canon In D (Pachelbel)
- Flower Boy Entrance: Fetty Wap – Trap Queen
- Bride Entrance: Bridal Chorus (Wagner)
- Bride/Groom Exit: Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
Background music for the reception was a variety of pop and country favorites.
Lacamas Lake Lodge Wedding Reception Highlights:
- Grand Entrance: Bruno Mars – Marry You
- Cake Cutting: Flo Rida & 99 Percent – Cake
- First Dance: Luke Combs – Beautiful Crazy
- Bride and Father Dance: Zac Brown Band – The Man Who Loves You The Most
- Groom and Mother Dance: Sugarland – Mother
- Boquet Toss: Ludacris – Move B***h
- Garter Toss: Ginuwine – Pony
- Last Dance: will.i.am – I Like To Move It
Before their first dance, the newlyweds chose to play the shoe game and for the garter toss, the bride requested that all the single men play musical chairs for the prize.
With only about 45 minutes of dancing available before the official end time, the wedding party and some guests danced to songs like “Cupid Shuffle” and “Cha Cha Slide”.
Congratulations Ashley and Michael and thank you for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“You did great, I love how you keep checking in on us making sure we were ready to try to do the next thing. Thank you again for coming out to do are wedding.” -Ashley Blackmore & Michael Cline
- Event Date: Saturday, May 10, 2025
- Event Type: Wedding & Reception
- Event Location: Lacamas Lake Lodge
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Customer Service: Excellent
- Quality of Service: Excellent
- Responsiveness: Excellent
- Professionalism: Excellent
- Appearance: Excellent
- Flexibility: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Bat Mitzvah Celebration At Kennedy School Portland
Victoria and her friends and family had a great time at her Bat Mitzvah celebration held at McMenamins Kennedy School in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
The games began shortly after the buffet was open to everyone with ice breakers “Name That Tune” and “Would Victoria Rather?”, followed by a rockus scavenger hunt/musical chairs. The adults in the room seemed to be enjoying the games as much as the kids. When one item called out during the scavenger hunt was a credit card, one parent just gave her purse to a child contestant.
After a toast, I began playing “The Hora” and invited everyone to dance with Victoria and her family. The energy never let up from there as guests danced to everything from “Happy”, “Hey Ya” and “Can’t Stop The Feeling” to Victoria’s requests for Musical numbers from Hamilton and the latest Beetlejuice movie.
Mazel Tov Victoria and thank you parents Gita and Jonathan for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“We were so grateful for Pro DJs! Rich did an incredible job keeping the party going for my daughter’s bat mitzvah. He was attentive and fun. The entire process, from booking the DJ, to discussing songs and playlists, to the actual event, was smooth and easy. I would highly recommend this company and will absolutely use Pro DJs again in my future! Thank you for creating such a memorable event.” -Gita Gelfer (Victoria’s Bat Mitzvah)
- Event Date: Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Kennedy School
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Customer Service: Excellent
- Event Planning Process: Excellent
- Quality of Service: Excellent
- Responsiveness: Excellent
- Professionalism: Excellent
- Appearance: Excellent
- Flexibility: Excellent
- Value: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
Bat Mitzvah Party Norse Hall Portland
Piper’s energetic Bat Mitzvah party took place at Norse Hall in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, February 8, 2025.
Guests arrived around 5pm and I had a variety of background music playing just before that, including selections from Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Harry Styles.
The spacious dance floor just off the stage allowed plenty of room for games that began after dinner with ice breaker “Would Piper Rather?”, followed by a scavenger hunt and Coke and Pepsi. The adults in the room were very engaged with the scavenger hunt and seemed to be having as much fun as the kids.
Next came “The Hora” and I invited everyone out to the dance floor to celebrate the Bat Mitzvah girl that featured the entire family lifted high in a chair.
Guests of all ages had a great time dancing to favorites, “I Gotta Feeling”, “Shake It Off”, “Cha Cha Slide” and more, plus Piper’s requests for Beyonce, Shakira and Chappell Roan’s “Hot To Go!”.
Mazel Tov Piper and thank you mom Hillary for choosing PRO DJs.
Post Event Satisfaction Survey:
“This was my first time ever hiring a DJ. I was a little nervous, based on attending other events. I just wasn’t sure what to expect. Rich is amazing! Super enthusiastic, flexible, easy to work with, and full of ideas. He made the planning process very easy (the online forms are very comprehensive) and was in good communication leading up to the party. Rich arrived at our party prepared (loved the lights!), and ran the music and dancing just perfectly. The kids games were a huge highlight as well (adults loved watching them and kids loved participating). We danced until our time at the venue was over. It was just great. Everyone had a total blast. I would hire him again in a heartbeat!” -Hillary Barbour
- Event Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Event Type: Bat Mitzvah
- Event Location: Norse Hall
- Event Staff: Rich Ellis
- Customer Service: Excellent
- Event Planning Process: Excellent
- Quality of Service: Excellent
- Responsiveness: Excellent
- Professionalism: Excellent
- Appearance: Excellent
- Flexibility: Excellent
- Value: Excellent
- Would you recommend this service to others? Yes
